Most students arrive in Madrid between 1 and 15 September, and the best way not to improvise is to set the day you want your boxes at the new flat now. If you stored with us, we bring them door to door and delivery is included in the price, from €33 per box. What we see most in September is the address changing at the last minute, and that's fine: send it to us on WhatsApp when you have it.
In short
- The 2026-27 academic year started on 2 September at UCM, 7 at UAM and 10 at URJC; check your faculty's calendar for the next one.
- More than 115,000 undergraduate and master's students live outside Madrid (2022-23 academic year, Ministry of Universities).
- You choose your boxes' delivery between 15 August and 30 September and change it by WhatsApp.
- Without a lift, delivery to a 2nd or 3rd floor costs €20 and to a 4th or above, €35.
When does term start at each university?
Each faculty publishes its own calendar, but the pattern repeats every year: undergraduate courses start in early September and master's a week or two later. As a guide, these were the official dates for 2026-2027; when next year's are published, swap them for your faculty's.
| University | Undergraduate start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UCM | 2 September 2026 | Master's start on 21 September |
| UAM | 7 September 2026 | Each faculty may vary by a few days |
| URJC | 10 September 2026 | Welcome days 7 to 9; master's on 23 |
| UC3M | First week of September 2026 | Each faculty publishes its exact date |
Sources: UCM, UAM, URJC and UC3M. At private universities and higher schools the window is usually similar; check your centre's calendar.
Why is September the hardest month?
Madrid is the region that receives the most students from elsewhere: 115,197 undergraduate and master's students had their usual residence outside the region in 2022-2023, 92,071 from other regions and 23,126 from abroad, according to the Ministry of Universities. Almost all of them settle in between the end of August and the second week of September.
On the street that means rents go up, removal firms' diaries fill up and residences have specific move-in days. Book your boxes' delivery date 7-10 days ahead; at the 5 to 15 September peak, 2-3 weeks ahead. Source: The Objective, June 2026.
How do you return my boxes in September?
If you stored with us, the return is door to door and included in the price: you choose the day when you book, between 15 August and 30 September, and we confirm it on WhatsApp a few days before. We arrive at the entrance, carry the boxes up and you sign that everything is in order.
- You choose the date when you book. If it changes, or you don't have the new address yet, message us on WhatsApp and we'll adjust it.
- We confirm the day and time slot a few days before.
- We arrive at the entrance of the flat or residence. If there's no lift, delivery to a 2nd or 3rd floor costs €20 and to a 4th or above, €35.
The price is per box and by tier: €45 for 1 to 4 boxes, €39 for 5 to 9, €36 for 10 to 15 and €33 from 16, with boxes, pick-up, the whole summer and delivery included.
What if I change flat and don't have the address yet?
It's the most common thing in September, and you don't need to know the exact address to book or for us to collect. Just send it to us on WhatsApp when you have it. If you're registering your address at the new place, do it as soon as you sign the contract: at Madrid City Council it's done online with a certificate or by appointment, and it's free.
What should I prepare before coming back?
Five minutes of preparation now saves you calls halfway through the year. This is what's worth having sorted before you land in Madrid, especially if you arrive in the first two weeks of September.
- Real start date: your faculty's, not the university's general one. On a master's, you almost always start a week or two later.
- Move-in date for the residence or flat, confirmed in writing.
- Change of address with your bank, health insurance, enrolment and grants.
- First-day kit (sheets, charger, medication) in a separate, easy-to-spot box.
What if what I need is a flat move?
If you're moving to a furnished flat, returning boxes isn't enough any more: you need a proper move. Our fixed rate is €349 for a studio, €449 for a 1-bedroom flat, €699 for a 2-bedroom and €949 for a 3-bedroom, with VAT, up to 50 km and no overtime. You book with a €50 deposit and can work it out in the moving calculator.
Frequently asked questions
When did classes start at Madrid universities in September 2026?
UCM on the 2nd; UAM on the 7th; URJC on the 10th; and UC3M in the first week. Dates for each faculty and master's can vary by a few days.
How much does it cost to store and return my things until September?
It depends on how many boxes you bring: from €45 per box (1-4 boxes) to €33 per box (over 15). The whole summer, with door-to-door pick-up and delivery. You book with €20, which is deducted from the total.
What if I change flat in September and don't have the final address?
We deliver to the address you give us. Just send it to us on WhatsApp when you have it and we'll arrange the day and time slot.
How far ahead do I have to give the return date?
You choose it when you book and, if you want to change it, let us know as soon as possible. With 7-10 days' margin we can almost certainly adjust the time slot; at the 5 to 15 September peak, it's best to do it 2-3 weeks ahead.
If you still don't have a flat, read what to do with your things while you look; and if you live in a residence, moving out of a university residence.